Michigan State football coach Mark Dantonio knows challenges are ahead, but he liked what he saw on the field in the Spartans' Green-White game.Mike Mulholland | MLive.com

EAST LANSING – The Big Ten writers' prediction is in, and Ohio State is the league favorite heading into the season with Michigan State the second choice among conference title contenders.

The Spartans football program had a lot of things bounce its way last season, including a scheduled that allowed Coach Mark Dantonio to sort out a quarterback competition that included four players at its peak.

Defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi won't be afforded that luxury as he works in six new starters on his defense this season. Michigan State travels to play Pac-12 favorite Oregon the second week of the season.

It's hard to project exactly how things will work out – there are reasons to believe the Spartans can win back-to-back Big Ten titles, and there are grounds to believe they won't.

THREE REASONS THE SPARTANS WILL REPEAT

The offense

Michigan State returns five players with starting experience up front, leading Dantonio to say this could the best offensive line during his head coaching tenure with the Spartans. Quarterback Connor Cook has all of his receivers back from a season ago but one (Bennie Fowler), and Jeremy Langford returns at tailback after a 1,400-yard rushing campaign with a year of experience under his belt.

Momentum

No injuries are expected to bleed into this season, and the Spartans had a strong session of spring drills. Having more experienced players on offense enabled the staff to work on more advanced parts of the game than in past years. The momentum carried into the feel-good aspect of the players knowing they will soon have upgraded facilities, including a new team locker room at Spartan Stadium

Mark Dantonio

Has any other college coach brought a program further — on and off the field — the past seven years than Dantonio? Well-respected by his players and in complete control of his experienced staff, Dantonio's name is often mentioned among the game's current greats when the topic of elite coaches is broached. Dantonio has a strong eye for talent and has proven he knows how to keep his team motivated in good times or bad.

THREE REASONS THE SPARTANS WON'T WIN THE BIG TEN

The expectations

If there's a tradition this current group of Spartan players need to break, it's that of the program taking a downward turn seemingly each time it faces high expectations. There's much to be said for playing with a chip on the shoulder — Michigan State teams have proven they can handle that for generations. But playing as a favorite has been difficult to manage.

The leadership vacuum

As much as the six defensive starters will be missed on the field, players like Max Bullough, Darqueze Dennard, Isaiah Lewis, Denicos Allen and Tyler Hoover will be missed even more in the locker room. The confidence and determination each of those players brought on a daily basis set an example that made it easy for younger players to follow. It remains to be seen if the new group of leaders can lead the same sort of dedication.

The schedule

Michigan State finished the 2013 season with a schedule that ranked 85th in the nation. This year's is projected at 35th, according to ESPN.

Getting Ohio State at home was fortuitous scheduling, but while the Spartans have that slight advantage it's worth noting they drew dangerous Nebraska as well as Purdue from the West Division. The Buckeyes got what looks like an easier draw from the West in Illinois and Minnesota. Road games at Maryland and Penn State won't be pushovers for Michigan State, and Indiana's offense has given the Spartans' defense fits, not to mention the last trip to Bloomington was no picnic. Last year's Big Ten schedule was easier than this one.